Inflatable Toddler Bumpers

ABSTRACT

An inflatable toddler bumper prevents injury to a toddler by a corner of a wall or a table. The inflatable toddler bumper has an inflatable bladder with a formed internal corner shaped to fit around a corner of a wall or a corner of a table. The inflatable bladder attaches to the corner by one or more double-sided adhesive pads. The inflatable toddler bumper has an inflation point to allow air to be blown into the inflatable bladder, the inflation point having a stopper to prevent escape of air.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/028,377, filed Feb. 13, 2008 and incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

When beginning to walk and run, toddlers frequently injure themselves by colliding with inanimate objects. The toddlers' heads are particularly vulnerable to knocks, bruises and lacerations from such collisions. Padding may be used to provide protection from collision with table corners and edges, and is typically fabricated from a dense foam rubber material that is placed over the corners and edges of the table.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, an inflatable toddler bumper prevents injury to a toddler by a corner of a wall. The inflatable toddler bumper has an inflatable bladder with a formed internal corner shaped to fit around the corner of the wall, the inflatable bladder being attachable to the corner of the wall by one or more double-sided adhesive pads. The inflatable toddler bumper has an inflation point to allow air to be blown into the inflatable bladder, and the inflation point has a stopper to prevent escape of air.

In another embodiment, an inflatable toddler bumper prevents injury to a toddler by a corner of a table. The inflatable toddler bumper has an inflatable bladder that forms an internal slot shaped to fit over the corner of the table and is attachable to the corner by one or more double-sided adhesive pads. The inflatable toddler bumper has an inflation point to allow air to be blown into the inflatable bladder. The inflation point has a stopper to prevent escape of air.

In another embodiment, a method prevents injury to a toddler by a corner. An inflatable toddler bumper is inflated and a stopper is inserted to prevent deflation. The inflated inflatable toddler bumper is attached to the corner using one or more double-sided adhesive pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a perspective view showing one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper attached to a corner of a wall to protect a toddler from injury upon collision with the corner, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a cross-section of the inflatable toddler bumper of FIG. 1A, illustrating internal membranes and attachment to the wall.

FIG. 1C shows the bumper of FIGS. 1A and 1B formed of two differing materials, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper attached to a table corner to protect a toddler from injury upon collision with the corner, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows a horizontal cross-section through the inflatable toddler bumper and table of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2C shows a vertical cross-section through the inflatable toddler bumper and table of FIGS. 2A and 2B, illustrating internal membranes and attachment to the table.

FIG. 2D shows the bumper of FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C formed of two differing materials, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inflatable toddler bumper for attaching to a table edge to protect a toddler from injury upon collision with the table edge.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an inflatable toddler bumper formed with spherically shaped sections.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper with an embossed teddy bear.

FIG. 6 shows an inflatable toddler bumper with an embossed teddy bear that attaches to a corner of a wall, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows an inflatable toddler bumper with an embossed dolphin that attaches to a corner of a wall, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section through an inflatable toddler bumper having two air chambers, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A is a perspective view 100 showing one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper 102 attached to a corner 104 of a wall 106 to protect a toddler from injury upon collision with corner 104. FIG. 1B is a cross section 120 of inflatable toddler bumper 102 of FIG. 1, taken along line A-A and illustrating attachment to corner 104. FIG. 1C shows bumper 102 formed of two differing materials 140, 142. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are best viewed together with the following description.

Bumper 102 has an inflation point 108 that allows an inflatable bladder 128 of bumper 102 to be inflated, for example by a user's breath. Inflation point 108 has a stopper that, when inserted into the inflation point, prevents air from escaping from inflatable bladder 128. When inflated, bumper 102 forms an internal corner 144 that allow bumper 102 to be easily positioned and attached to corner 104 of wall 106. Bumper 102 may attach to corner 104 by use of one or more double-sided sticky pads 124 (e.g., an easily removable double-sided adhesive pad made by 3M™ for attaching hooks to a wall surface) that fasten bumper 102 to walls 106 across corner 104. By attaching bumper 102 to corner 104 such that the center of length L of bumper 102 is approximate to the toddler's head height, bumper 102 provides maximum protection to the toddler's head against collision with corner 104. Width W and length L of bumper 102 may be selected based upon the desired location of bumper 102. For example, length L may be between 1 and 4 feet, and width W may be between 2 and 10 inches.

Bumper 102 may have one or more internal membranes 126 (and/or inflatable compartments) that provide shape to bumper 102 to facilitate attaching of bumper 102 to corner 104. For example, membranes 126 form an internal corner 144 shape to bumper 102. Bumper 102 may include fewer or more membranes and inflatable compartments to shape bumper 102 as known in the art of inflatable models. In an embodiment, bumper 102 is formed with two or more independently inflatable compartments.

In an embodiment, bumper 102 is constructed of at least two differing materials; an inner material 140 and an outer material 142. Inner material 140 contacts wall 106 and/or sticky pads 124 and is formed of a material having sufficient thickness to impart strength and stiffness to bumper 102. Outer material 142 is a softer and more flexible material, to cushion a toddler's head upon contact (e.g., preventing abrasions and contusions). Outer material 142 may be colored (e.g., may be of a color to attract attention to corner 104) and include patterns, motifs, photographic images, cartoon characters, etc.

In one example, inner material 140 and outer material 142 are polyvinylchloride (PVC) of 0.55 mm and 0.26 mm thicknesses, respectively. Other materials and thicknesses may be used without departing from the scope hereof.

FIG. 2A shows one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper 202 attached to a table 204 to protect a toddler from injury upon collision with a corner 206 of table 204: FIG. 2B shows a horizontal cross-section 220 through bumper 202 and table 204, along line B-B of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C shows a vertical cross-section 240 (along line C-C) through inflatable toddler bumper 202 of FIG. 2A, illustrating internal membranes 246 and attachment to table 204. FIG. 2D shows cross-section 240 of FIG. 2C, illustrating bumper 202 formed of two differing materials, according to an embodiment. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D are best viewed together with the following description.

Bumper 202 is shaped to fit around corner 206 of table 204. One or more double-sided adhesive pads 244 secures bumper 202 to table 204, for example. Although bumper 202 is shown as having a bent, tubular shape, bumper 202 may have other forms without departing from the scope hereof.

A slot 264 of bumper 202 fits over corner 206 of table 204. Internal walls of slot 264 may attach to surfaces 205 of table 204 using one or more double-sided adhesive pads 244. Bumper 202 includes at least one inflatable bladder 228 with an inflation point 208 that allows bumper 202 to be inflated, for example by blowing into inflation point 208.

Bumper 202 may be formed with an inner material 260 and an outer material 262. Materials 260 and 262 may be similar to materials 140 and 142 of FIG. 1C. Materials 260 and 262 are, for example, heat welded together.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an inflatable toddler bumper that may be attached to a table edge to protect a toddler from injury upon collision with the table edge. Bumper 302 is formed with a slot 364 to attach, for example using double sided adhesive pads (not shown), to a table edge to prevent the toddler from injury by the table edge. Bumper 302 is inflated via inflation point 308. Length L of bumper 302 may be selected based upon the length of the table edge to be covered. For example, length L is between 1 and 8 feet or longer, as a function of the table edge length.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper 402 with spherical sections 403, that attaches to a corner 406 of a table 404. Bumper 402 is similar to bumper 202, FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D, but is formed to have spherical sections 403. Bumper 402 may have other shapes without departing from the scope hereof. Spherical sections 403 of bumper 402 are inflated via inflation point 408 and a stopper is inserted to prevent deflation. By attaching bumper 402 to corner 406 (e.g., using one or more double sided adhesive pads), a toddler is protected from injury upon collision with table 404.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one exemplary inflatable toddler bumper 502 with an embossed teddy bear 520 for protecting a toddler from injury from a corner 506 of a table 504. Bumper 502 is similar to bumper 402, FIG. 4, with an inflation point 508 and spherical sections 503, and is similarly used. Embossed teddy bear 520 provides added interest to bumper 502 for the toddler, thereby making the toddle more aware of corner 506.

FIG. 6 is an inflatable toddler bumper 602, with an inflation point 608 and an embossed teddy bear 620, that attaches to a corner of a wall. Bumper 602 is similar to bumper 102, FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, but with the addition of the embossed teddy bear 620. Embossed teddy bear 620 may attract the toddler's attention to the corner and thereby improve toddler awareness of the corner. Other shapes, animals and figures may be embossed onto bumper 602 without departing from the scope hereof. For example, FIG. 7 shows an inflatable toddler bumper 702, with an inflation point 708 and an embossed dolphin 720, that attaches to a corner of a wall. In another example, an undesirable graphic such as a sad or scary face may be printed or embossed onto the above disclosed toddler bumpers, to increase toddler avoidance of a corner.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section 800 through a toddler bumper 802 having two inflatable bladders 804 and 806. Bumper 802 is similar to bumper 102, FIG. 1A, but includes two inflation points 808 and 810 for inflating bladders 804 and 806, respectively. When inflated, bumper 802 forms an internal corner 844 that allows bumper 802 to be easily positioned and attached to a wall corner (not shown). Bumper 802 may have one or more internal membranes (and/or inflatable compartments) that provide shape to bumper 802 to facilitate attachment of bumper 802. In particular, internal bladder 806 may be inflated to a higher pressure than bladder 804 to facilitate attachment to a corner or wall, while maintaining a softer external cushion for protecting a toddler upon contact with bumper 802.

Changes may be made in the above methods and systems without departing from the scope hereof. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between. 

1. An inflatable toddler bumper for preventing injury to a toddler by a corner of a wall, comprising: at least one inflatable bladder having a formed internal corner shaped to fit around the corner of the wall, the inflatable bladder being attached to the corner of the wall by one or more double-sided adhesive pads; an inflation point to allow air to be blown into the inflatable bladder, the inflation point having a stopper to prevent escape of air.
 2. The bumper of claim 1, further comprising an embossed shape on the inflatable bladder, the embossed shape increasing toddler awareness of the corner.
 3. The bumper of claim 1, further comprising one or more internal membranes for forming the internal corner.
 4. The bumper of claim 1, the at least one bladder comprising two or more independently inflatable bladders, each having an independent inflation point.
 5. The bumper of claim 4, wherein the independently inflatable bladders provide increased rigidity to the bumper for facilitating mounting of the bumper to the corner.
 6. The bumper of claim 1, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises an inner material and an outer material, wherein the inner material contacts the wall and the outer material does not.
 7. The bumper of claim 6, wherein the inner material is thicker than the outer material and imparts additional strength and stiffness to the bumper.
 8. An inflatable toddler bumper for preventing injury to a toddler by a corner of a table, comprising: at least one inflatable bladder having a formed internal slot shaped to fit over the corner of the table, the inflatable bladder being attachable to the corner of the table by one or more double-sided adhesive pads; an inflation point to allow air to be blown into the inflatable bladder, the inflation point having a stopper to prevent escape of air.
 9. The bumper of claim 8, further comprising an embossed shape on the inflatable bladder, the embossed shape increasing toddler awareness of the corner.
 10. The bumper of claim 8, further comprising one or more internal membranes for forming the internal slot.
 11. The bumper of claim 8, the at least one bladder comprising two or more independently inflatable bladders, each having an independent inflation point.
 12. The bumper of claim 11, wherein the independently inflatable bladders provide increased rigidity to the bumper for facilitating mounting of the bumper to the corner.
 13. The bumper of claim 8, wherein the inflatable bladder comprises an inner material and an outer material, wherein the inner material contacts the table and the outer material does not.
 14. The bumper of claim 13, wherein the inner material is thicker than the outer material and imparts additional strength and stiffness to the bumper.
 15. An inflatable toddler bumper for preventing injury to a toddler by a corner, comprising: an inflatable bladder having an internal surface shaped to fit with the corner; one or more double-sided adhesive pads for securing the inflatable bladder against the corner; an inflation point to allow air to be blown into the inflatable bladder, the inflation point having a stopper to prevent escape of air.
 16. The bumper of claim 15, the corner comprising a wall corner, the internal surface of the inflatable bladder having an internal corner complimentary to the wall corner, for fitting against the wall corner.
 17. The bumper of claim 16, the corner comprising a table corner, the internal surface formed with a slot shaped to fit over the table corner.
 18. The bumper of claim 15, further comprising one or more membranes internal to the bladder, for shaping the bladder to fit the internal surface with the corner when the bladder is inflated.
 19. The bumper of claim 15, further comprising a second, independently inflatable bladder having a second inflation point for inflating the second bladder. 